10 Best Joint Supplements for Labradors in 2024 — Reviews & Top Picks

Labrador Retrievers frequently top the most popular dog lists, and it’s no wonder: They’re sweet, outgoing, and lovable dogs! But like most large breeds, they are prone to joint conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. This makes joint supplements an essential part of your dog’s health routine, as they can help keep your Lab happy and healthy for their entire lives. But finding the right product can be time consuming.

So, we did the research and developed reviews of 10 of the best joint supplements for large dogs like Labradors. We hope that this will save you time and that you’ll find the right supplement for your best friend.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Nutramax Chewable Tablets	Made in the U.S.A. Easy-to-eat tablet form with chicken flavor Has proven effective for dogs with joint problems	Check Price
Best Value		Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint Extra Strength Wafers	Created by a vet Made for large dogs Crunchy peanut butter-flavored biscuits	Check Price
Premium Choice		Nutramax Dasuquin Soft Chews	Works for most dogs For dogs over 60 pounds Supports cartilage production	Check Price
Best for Puppies		Pet Parents Hip & Joint SoftSupps	For all ages, including puppies Made with whole meats and veggies Offers pain relief and supports joint tissue	Check Price
		PetHonesty Hip + Joint Health Joint	Eases stiffness in the joints Supports cartilage and tissue development Contains anti-inflammatory	Check Price

The 10 Best Joint Supplements for Labradors

The best overall joint supplement for Labs is Nutramax’s Cosequin Maximum Strength Chewable Tablets. These are made in the U.S., and Nutramax has been in the joint health business for over 30 years.

These tablets contain naturally occurring sodium chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), all of which promote healthy cartilage in your dog’s joints. The tablets are easy to give to your dog, taste like chicken, and have been proven to be effective for dogs with joint issues.

But since these are tablets instead of soft chews, not every dog will want to eat them.

2. Nutri-Vet Hip & Joint Wafers for Large Dogs — Best Value

The best joint supplement for Labradors for the money is Nutri-Vet’s Hip & Joint Extra Strength Wafers for Large Dogs. These are crunchy peanut butter-flavored biscuits about 3.25 inches long and in the shape of bones.

They are specifically designed for large dogs like Labs and were formulated by a veterinarian. The biscuits contain glucosamine meant for dogs 40 pounds and over, which will ease sore muscles and maintain healthy cartilage.

Unfortunately, the biscuits are hard, and some dogs, particularly seniors, might have a challenging time eating these.

Our premium pick is Nutramax’s Dasuquin Soft Chews for Large Dogs. These are expensive but contain glucosamine, chondroitin, avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), and MSM to help support your pet’s joints.

These soft chews are meant for dogs over 60 pounds and are well-liked by many (but not all) dogs. They inhibit the enzymes that break down cartilage, and they support cartilage production.

But they are pricey, and not every dog seems to enjoy the taste.

Pet Parents Hip & Joint SoftSupps Dog Supplement is a great option for your Lab puppy, though it’s suitable for all ages. It provides pain relief and supports joint tissue with MSM, glucosamine chondroitin, and green-lipped mussels.

It’s made with whole meats and veggies without any fillers, which is helpful for any puppies with food sensitivities. It’s also made in the U.S.

The only issue is that while it is effective for most dogs, it won’t necessarily work for all dogs.

PetHonesty Hip + Joint Health Joint Supplement for Dogs has glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM for joint health and flexibility. There are also things like turmeric, eggshell meal, and yucca schidigera, which work together for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

All of this helps ease stiffness in the joints, supports tissue and cartilage development, and works quite well for everyday activities. These chews are chicken flavored and can make tasty treats.

However, some dogs love eating these but others don’t. This might be due in part to the turmeric.

Zesty Paws Hip & Joint Mobility Bites Soft Chews Supplement for Dogs has glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and a special form of MSM that has been purified through distillation for muscle support.

These chews will support joints, hips, cartilage, and connective tissue, and there are two flavors that you can choose from, bacon and duck.

But some dogs just don’t like the treats — even dogs that aren’t typically picky! Also, it doesn’t seem to work for every dog.

Virbac MOVOFLEX Soft Chews Joint Supplement for Medium to Large Dogs uses hyaluronic acid and eggshell membrane instead of glucosamine and chondroitin, and these help improve mobility and support the joints.

It’s formulated for active adult and senior dogs, and unlike most other supplements, you only need to give your dog one chew per day. But it is quite expensive and doesn’t seem to work for every dog.

Vetoquinol’s Flexadin Advanced With UCII Soft Chews help with flexibility and support healthy joints. They work for cats and dogs, so if you also own a cat, you can use the same product for both animals. These chews contain omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation, and vitamin E, which prevents the breakdown of cartilage.

They also have UC-II, which is a type of collagen that provides optimum joint support. The issues with this product are that it’s relatively expensive and that the treats are quite large and can be dry and crumbly.

Duralactin Canine Chewable Tablet Dog Supplement contains microlactin, a dried milk protein from hyperimmunized cows. It has a large number of antibodies, helps support the immune system, and reduces the signs of osteoarthritis. It also effectively manages long-term inflammatory conditions.

Results are typically seen in 4 to 7 days, but the peak results will be observed in 10 to 14 days. However, this product is more expensive for large dog owners, as their dogs will need two tablets every day. It also doesn’t seem to work for every dog, and not all dogs appreciate the vanilla flavor.

Vetoquinol’s Triglyceride OMEGA Supplement is designed to help your dog’s skin and joints. It has omega-3 fatty acids, which can help dogs with skin conditions and give them healthier coats. It is good for improved mobility and can ease joint pain. It’s also great for your Lab’s heart.

This might be an ideal option if your Lab has skin issues in addition to mobility issues. It’s the only gel capsule on this list, so you can give it to your dog orally or puncture it and squeeze it into their food.

However, the capsule is more like a hard shell, so it can be difficult to open or puncture, but it might be too large to give to your dog orally. Also, these pills are more geared toward skin conditions and less toward joint issues.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Joint Supplements for Labradors

Now that you’re familiar with the best options out there, let’s go over the importance of a few of these ingredients and what you should look for when shopping for a joint supplement for your Labrador.

Chondroitin

Chondroitin helps support the musculoskeletal system, but it quite specifically aids in lubricating and supporting cartilage. Cartilage helps cushion the bones and joints and acts as a shock absorber — it effectively prevents the ends of bones from rubbing together. Chondroitin also blocks the enzymes that break down cartilage and helps the body produce new cartilage.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is used to aid in building tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and the fluid found around the joints. It can help increase the fluid and cartilage around the joints and prevent them from breaking down. Both the fluid and cartilage help protect the soft tissues and ends of bones in the joints.

MSM

MSM stands for methylsulfonylmethane. It can aid in reducing inflammation and decreasing joint pain and in faster recovery after a significant amount of exercise. It can also help with reducing allergy symptoms and improving skin health.

Omega Fatty Acids

You can find omega fatty acids in things like fish oil and flaxseeds, and they’re effective at keeping the skin and coat in good health. They can also help control arthritis by reducing the pain and swelling of the joints, in addition to benefiting everything from the heart to the brain.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a substance found in the fluids in the joints, which acts like a cushion and a lubricant. It can help decrease swelling because it has anti-inflammatory properties and aids tissue growth.

Size of Dog

Always double-check what age and size of dog that a product is formulated for. Many supplements are suitable for dogs of any size, but if your Lab is on the large side, you might need to give them two or more doses a day. This can add up financially.

A few of the products on this list are specifically made for large dogs, which means the dose will be more in line with your Lab’s size, though you should always double-check with your vet before giving any supplements to your dog.

Conclusion

Nutramax’s Cosequin Maximum Strength Chewable Tablets are among the most effective supplements for helping a dog’s joints. Nutri-Vet’s Hip & Joint Extra Strength Wafers are tasty peanut butter biscuits formulated for dogs that are the size of your Lab, and these are also affordable. Our premium choice goes to Nutramax’s Dasuquin Soft Chews for Large Dogs for the added ingredients that support cartilage production and prevent enzymes from breaking it down.

We hope that these reviews have helped your journey to making your Lab’s life a little easier. Speak to your vet before you purchase anything, though, as they can help you with this crucial decision.

Featured Image Credit: AlkeMade, Pixabay